Frequency of meetings: Monthly
Month/Year that you became Ambassador:
About me:
I am a relative new comer to the industry , having done over 20 years, I started in hinge manufacturing but for the last 8 years have broadened my knowledge into all ironmongery.
I have qualifications in engineering but are most proud of my REG AI.
Benefits of attending your hub:
Midlands Hub is a very technical hub , where a lot of problems are discussed and solutions found between the members, everyone is happy to help each other and recommend where to find the solution regardless of companies.
Frequency of meetings: 6 meetings held on alternate months throughout the year and Charity Quiz every January.
Month/Year that you became Ambassador: March 2016 when the North and Borders was formed.
About me:
I have worked in the Door and Ironmongery Industry for over 20 years. I am employed as Sales Director at Norseal, a provider of specialist seal solutions. Before that I worked for Lorient Polyproducts Ltd.
I achieved my DipGAI in 2015 and my RegAI in 2016. I am also on the management team for ASDMA and hold the DipFD.
When I am not working, I enjoy motorcycles, film, travel and spending time with our three Yorkies.
Benefits of attending your hub:
The North and Borders is not only a great hub to attend to keep yourself up to date with the latest developments in Ironmongery and the associated Industries but we are also have a real community spirit. Members regularly give up their own time to help students and support other members with training and to share their own knowledge. We are a very friendly bunch and all new members are made to feel very welcome. The networking is excellent and business leads are regularly exchanged. It’s a great opportunity for people to meet other members from their own industry and area and to exchange ideas and information. It has also been known that on occasion we end hub meetings with a few beers at a local hostelry.
Frequency of meetings: 7-8 per year, second Wednesday of the month (excl Dec/Jan and Jul/Aug and sometimes Easter)
Month/Year that you became Ambassador: Feb 2015
About me:
Having a background in building/architecture I found myself working in the AI sector after being made redundant at short notice late 1996. I must have caught the ironmongery ‘bug’ as by 2001 I’d completed the (then) four year DipGAI course and maintained RegAI status ever since. With a young family I wasn’t able to attend branch meetings as frequently as I would have liked but over time that changed and I was asked first to be branch treasurer then later to be chair. I am actively involved in the GAI and other trade associations, including DHF and ACDM as my business focus is very much on doors and doorsets to the residential market.
Benefits of attending your hub:
Meeting counterparts from other companies to share ideas, help problem solve and feel ‘not alone’. Learn about the latest developments in products, standards, legislation in a friendly environment where questions are welcome.
Frequency of meetings: 4-6 per year
Month/Year that you became Ambassador: June 2021 for my second stint as Ambassador
About me:
I have been a firm believer in ‘every day is a school day’. Always looking to learn in my day job specifying access control projects and in the past in ironmongery scheduling over the last 20 years to my fitness passion and my American flag football coaching and playing. I look to see if I can help someone improve their knowledge and potentially learn something myself in the process.
Benefits of attending your hub:
At the Scottish GAI hub we look to bring together our industry to help share knowledge and create a community to help expand the knowledge of the specifiers of today and tomorrow through the education process and passing down the experiences we have all had and to provide the latest CPD’s and product innovation.
Frequency of meetings: Monthly
Month/Year that you became Ambassador: January 2022
About me:
I have been in the industry for 28 years and currently a Director at SDS London. In the early stages of my career, I qualified as a Locksmith before moving into ironmongery in 1999. As well as being Vice-Chair for the GAI community, I am also an active participant on the GAI education committee, I can often be seen at course residentials and some online training sessions. I have been a huge Manchester united fan since a young teen, but let’s not talk football.
Benefits of attending your hub:
Whilst the thought of attending a hub meeting for the first time may seem daunting, we are really a friendly bunch that just like to get together to learn and share our experiences in the industry. I have made some great connections that have helped progress not only my own development but my professional development. If you ever get stuck with anything ironmongery related, you can be sure to find someone who can assist at the meetings. We hold most of our meetings at the Union Tavern in Kings Cross. The branch has a really strong committee who are there to help our members whether you have been in the industry years or are a new student finding your feet in the industry.
Frequency of meetings: Bi Monthly programme dependant
Month/Year that you became Ambassador: 2019
About me:
I am proud to have supported the Welsh from the very beginning some 20+ years ago and this is my second stint as Hub Ambassador for the Branch!
I have also represented the Institute as National Chairmain 2013-2015, served and Chaired the South West and South Central Branches, and also served on the Education Committee for the GAI.
Living on the coast of North Devon, I enjoy walking my dog and regular Beach Cleans to help the environment, a great tonic to recharge, connect with nature and enjoy the sea air.
Benefits of attending your hub:
We have a very strong core membership and dedicated committee who are passionate about the success of our Hub. We love the social aspect and
it is so good to be able to get out and meet ‘old friends’ again, we have also attracted some new student members, and even some of our original members are making a comeback! The comradery and friendship is part of the Welsh heritage, and we always extend a very warm welcome to our guests old and new at our venue The Aberavon Beach Hotel in Port Talbot.
Frequency of meetings: Quarterly
Month/Year that you became Ambassador:
About me:
I have worked in the Building Trade for over 30 years, starting when I was 11 obviously! I am currently employed as the Area Sales Manager for Ireland with Frisco UK Sales Ltd. Before that I worked for HOPPE as a Technical Specification Rep for Ireland and previous to that I worked in Technical Sales for some local AI’s in Northern Ireland including MB Architectural and Doorways. I achieved my DipGAI in 2010 and became a RegAI in 2018. In my spare time I enjoy eating out, going to concerts and live shows and discovery new experiences through my first love, travel.
Benefits of attending your hub:
Ireland was originally one Hub, but since the retirement of our previous hard working Ambassador Ian Mullally of Dorma, it has now been split into a Northern and Southern Hub. We are a friendly bunch, and everyone is welcome. We are a highly experienced hub with a wealth of knowledge in all sectors from Ironmongery through to Doors and not forgetting Access Control & Automation. But then how could we not be with my Mentor and the Guild’s very own Douglas Masterson originating from this Hub!
Frequency of meetings: 4-5 meetings per year
Month/Year that you became Ambassador: 2023
About me:
My journey into the Architectural Ironmongery world started in 2018 when KCC challenged me offering a job as an Ironmongery Scheduler and enrolled me into the Foundation in Hardware Course. I got so fascinated by this industry and I continued studying until I achieved the DipGAI title in 2022. Currently I’m responsible for the Scheduling Department ensuring we deliver high quality specs and build strong relationships with our customers.
Benefits of attending your hub:
As I was only appointed as a Hub Ambassador, I hope to encourage people to attend our meetings and make the Hub accessible and interesting for everyone. I hope we can create a place where we all meet, make friends, seek help, keep up-to-date with the latest products/ standards, learn new things and engage in different conversations related to our industry.
Frequency of meetings: Four per year plus one social
Month/Year that you became Ambassador: Jan 2023
About me:
I have been involved in the architectural ironmongery sector now for 6 years, having started in the industry in 2018 with a builders merchant supplying ironmongery to the mass house builders. I completed my diploma during 2020 and have since moved on to supply high quality ironmongery to large commercial developments throughout the UK as well as overseas.
Benefits of attending your hub:
We are a small, welcoming and knowledgeable hub with a mix of AIs, locksmiths and manufacturers which provides viewpoints from all aspects of the industry. We generally have a sit down meal followed by a CPD presentation and discussion which of course is followed by a few drinks in the bar.
Frequency of meetings: 2-4 per year
Month/Year that you became Ambassador: Jan 2020
About me:
I have been in door and hardware industry for more than 15 years in the Middle East. I am an MBA in Marketing and passed my GAI diploma in 2013. At present I am based in Dubai and working with ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions as Business Development & Digital Strategy Director - MEIIA. Prior to this I have worked in Doha with Häfele and gained on-site experience including residential and commercial developments as well as prestigious hospitality projects. I have been involved in various roles including sales, marketing, specifications and product management. My interests are reading, writing and playing squash.
Benefits of attending your hub:
The GCC hub based in Dubai provides an opportunity to discuss latest developments in Ironmongery and overall pulse of construction industry in the Middle East. Since, all of us are mostly expatriates here we get a chance to catch up with the ironmongery community. Meeting is organized and facilitated by local offices where we get an opportunity to go through approved CPD presentations and enhance our knowledge.